Chipper held out with sore elbow

NEW YORK — Chipper Jones has a stiff and swollen right elbow that kept him out of the Atlanta Braves’ lineup Monday night in their first visit to Citi Field to play the New York Mets.

Jones hyperextended his elbow on a swing Sunday and left Atlanta’s 4-2 victory at Philadelphia in the seventh inning.

The All-Star third baseman said Monday that the hyperextension, combined with tendinitis he’s been dealing with most of the season, prevents him from being able to throw across the diamond.

"I’m getting old," he said. "Stuff hurts more."

Jones said the elbow was treated three times Monday. He took some light swings during batting practice and will be re-evaluated today.

"I’ve got some fluid in my elbow," he said. "I think if I come back in tomorrow and I’m the same, probably get a shot — which might keep me out a day or two more. I want that to be the last resort."

Jones, the NL batting champion last year with a .364 average, said he would have been available to pinch hit Monday night.

Martin Prado started at third base for Atlanta and batted third. He entered hitting .303 with a homer and six RBIs in 33 at-bats.

The 37-year-old Jones was batting .284 with three home runs and 11 RBIs. He had a .417 on-base percentage.

"From a mental standpoint, I’d rather be hitting third than Martin Prado," Jones said. "But I have every confidence in the world that he’s a good player. He’s going to go out, he’s going to field his position, he’s going to put good at-bats up and if I do need a day here and there, I have every confidence in the world that he’ll fill in admirably."

Going into Monday night, the Braves were 1-5 when Jones didn’t start.

"I can’t play defense the way I need to," he said. "So if I take a day or two now, it should not be a lingering problem.

"I’ve missed so much time with some major injuries, having to go on the DL over the last couple years. Want to try to avoid those extended periods where I’m not in there. If I’ve got to take a day to get this behind me, then I’ll do it," Jones added. "(Today) should be the telltale day."

In other news, 43-year-old lefty Tom Glavine said he’s on track for another bullpen session Wednesday, when he will try to simulate game situations.

If that goes well, he thinks the next step would be a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

Glavine was projected to open the season as Atlanta’s No. 5 starter before experiencing shoulder pain. The 305-game winner had offseason operations on his left elbow and shoulder, and all the injury problems lately have altered his outlook.

"I feel confident that I’ll get back out there, but I’m just kind of realistic," Glavine said. "I want to go back out there and pitch. I don’t want to end my career with an injury. But you know what? If it doesn’t work out, then believe me, I’ll be perfectly fine. I’m not worried about that."